Karlijn Visser (31), founder of the health platform Holistik, empowers readers through insightful articles on health, nutrition, relationships, and spirituality. Her mission? Help people unlock their full potential. "A healthy lifestyle goes beyond workouts and chia seeds on yogurt—it's holistic."
Your platform Holistik covers nutrition, exercise, and mental well-being. Why this blend?
'I've always gravitated toward deeper topics. As a child, I pondered death and spirituality with my parents, often feeling life's mysteries were isolating and lonely. In my career, those big questions persisted. I freelanced for lifestyle magazines and, in 2007, co-founded Goodiebag Girl with my best friend Evelyn, creating goodie bags for events. Entrepreneurship thrilled me, but it never fully satisfied. The business evolved into Friends of the Brands, an influencer marketing firm with growing events, yet the spark faded. I spent too much time messaging influencers and celebrities: 'You coming?' Craving more depth, I shut it down after seven years.'
Did Holistik come next?
'Not immediately—I needed clarity. I reclaimed weekends and evenings for energy-boosting activities: nature walks, home cooking, family visits, yoga, and Pilates. At the spa, I met my partner, a personal trainer. Then, a friend mentioned an online publisher seeking a health platform lead. It clicked perfectly: a space for health content rooted in 'living from a clear mind.' As a seasoned lifestyle journalist and entrepreneur, I've drawn from personal experience to build Holistik into a trusted resource for balanced living.'
WHO IS KARLIJN?
Karlijn Visser (31) studied Media & Culture at the University of Amsterdam and freelanced for Grazia, Cosmopolitan, Ellegirl, and Good2Be. In 2007, with Evelyn van Hasselt, she launched Goodiebag Girl, transitioning in 2015 to Holistik—a go-to site for exercise, nutrition, and mental wellness. She lives in Amsterdam with partner Mikoti Lodewijks, a yoga teacher and personal trainer.
Read the full interview with Karlijn in the March issue of Santé.
Text: Kim van der Meulen | Photography: Bart Honingh | Styling: Linda Huiberts
